Changes to Application Process for Parents and Grandparents Program

Canadian  Government is committed to a fair and transparent immigration system. Changes made to the Parent and Grandparent Program will improve access to the application process, given that the number of applications accepted for intake is limited. In order to give the same chance to all Canadians who are interested in applying to sponsor their parents or grandparents, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) heard former applicants and is making changes to improve how people can apply to this program.

 From January 2017, individuals who wish to sponsor their parent(s) or grandparent(s) for Canadian permanent residence status will first be required to complete an online form indicating their interest in the program to IRCC.

The online form will be available for 30 days, from 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 3, 2017, to 12 p.m. EST on February 2, 2017. After this 30-day period, IRCC will randomly select 10,000 individuals to submit a complete application. The selected individuals will have 90 days to submit a complete application and supporting documents.

IRCC will notify all individuals who submitted an online form to indicate their interest in sponsoring their parent(s) or grandparent(s) whether they are selected or not. IRCC states that individuals who are not selected may try again in 2018.